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Virulence markers and serotypes of Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli , isolated from cattle in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Author(s) -
Timm C.D.,
Irino K.,
Gomes T.A.T.,
Vieira M.M.,
Guth B.E.C.,
Vaz T.M.I.,
Moreira C.N.,
Aleixo J.A.G.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
letters in applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.698
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1472-765X
pISSN - 0266-8254
DOI - 10.1111/j.1472-765x.2006.02085.x
Subject(s) - serotype , escherichia coli , virulence , microbiology and biotechnology , shiga toxin , biology , toxin , shiga like toxin , enterobacteriaceae , bacteria , beef cattle , genetics , gene
Aims: To determine the prevalence of Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and serotypes and virulence markers of the STEC isolates from beef and dairy cattle in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Methods and Results: Faecal samples from beef cattle were collected at slaughterhouses. The isolates were submitted to colony hybridization assay with specific DNA probes for stx 1, stx 2 and eae genes, and serotyped for the identification of O and H antigens. Thirty‐nine per cent of beef cattle surveyed harboured at least one STEC strain. Among the distinct serotypes identified, 10 were shared by both beef and dairy cattle. Most of the strains isolated harboured stx 2. Genotypic and phenotypic profiles allowed the identification of 34 and 31 STEC strains, isolated from beef and dairy cattle, respectively. Serotypes O10:H14, O15:H21, O96:H21, O119:H4, O124:H11, O128:H21, O137:H‐, O141:H19, O159:H42, O160:H2 and O177:H11, identified in this study, have not been previously reported as STEC isolated from cattle. Conclusions: Cattle are an important reservoir of STEC strains associated with human diseases in South America. Significance and Impact of the Study: Determining the prevalence, genotypic profile and serotypes of STEC strains isolated from cattle enables the prediction of possible risk for public health.